when they beat the two florida powerhouses and win in MSG I will reconsider playoffs this season, but right now they will be picking in the draft about 8-10th.
- Marc D

Yeah, most likely

Its smoke and mirrors against the 19 pt powerhouse Carolina and the Scott Gomez led devils
- Just5

I though their play in the recent West Coast trip was pretty respectable as well. I agree NJ and CAR are nothing to write home about but it seems to have been building. Then again, one lose and this team could be back in the dirt. Confidence is fickle and this team has very little room for error at this point due to their own making.

Overall, I will NOT wish them to lose. But I would rather see them come in last then 12th or thereabout. Sadly, I don't see them sucking enough or do I see them good enough. This was what most of us thought in the beginning of the year so I guess nothing has changed. I actually started to get excited when they were really struggling, now, mediocre hell.

I though their play in the recent West Coast trip was pretty respectable as well. I agree NJ and CAR are nothing to write home about but it seems to have been building. Then again, one lose and this team could be back in the dirt. Confidence is fickle and this team has very little room for error at this point due to their own making.

Overall, I will NOT wish them to lose. But I would rather see them come in last then 12th or thereabout. Sadly, I don't see them sucking enough or do I see them good enough. This was what most of us thought in the beginning of the year so I guess nothing has changed. I actually started to get excited when they were really struggling, now, mediocre hell.
- coffee junkie

The loss to the Jackets was still a bad one in terms of effort and silly mistakes.

I though their play in the recent West Coast trip was pretty respectable as well. I agree NJ and CAR are nothing to write home about but it seems to have been building. Then again, one lose and this team could be back in the dirt. Confidence is fickle and this team has very little room for error at this point due to their own making.

Overall, I will NOT wish them to lose. But I would rather see them come in last then 12th or thereabout. Sadly, I don't see them sucking enough or do I see them good enough. This was what most of us thought in the beginning of the year so I guess nothing has changed. I actually started to get excited when they were really struggling, now, mediocre hell.
- coffee junkie

I don't wish them to lose either. In fact if they remain relatively healthy and finish bottom 5, that means there are lots of issues with the team outside of the bad contracts and putrid defense. Despite those issues, if they finish bottom 5 there's
something wrong with the young core also and that would be the worst.

The most important thing with this draft for Hexy is to get a 2nd round pick. I'd rather have pick 12 and 45 than just pick 5

I don't wish them to lose either. In fact if they remain relatively healthy and finish bottom 5, that means there are lots of issues with the team outside of the bad contracts and putrid defense. Despite those issues, if they finish bottom 5 there's
something wrong with the young core also and that would be the worst.

The most important thing with this draft for Hexy is to get a 2nd round pick. I'd rather have pick 12 and 45 than just pick 5
- Just5

I could be good with that. For that to happen the team needs to be out of the PO picture at the deadline. None of this, maybe BS.

I don't wish them to lose either. In fact if they remain relatively healthy and finish bottom 5, that means there are lots of issues with the team outside of the bad contracts and putrid defense. Despite those issues, if they finish bottom 5 there's
something wrong with the young core also and that would be the worst.

The most important thing with this draft for Hexy is to get a 2nd round pick. I'd rather have pick 12 and 45 than just pick 5
- Just5

With our D being what it is, I don't think I'd jump to that conclusion. I'm not too worried about Couts, B Schenn or Laughton. Outside them, who is our 'young core'?

I could be good with that. For that to happen the team needs to be out of the PO picture at the deadline. None of this, maybe BS.
- coffee junkie

Yea I don't think their going to be bad enough at all to be out of the running at the TDL, this deadline will be veryinteresting

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers Dismantle Carolina
- bmeltzer

I said it yesterday, but congrats to Laughton. I really hope this gives him the confidence to start contributing even more. I've been very impressed with him.

I don't wish them to lose either. In fact if they remain relatively healthy and finish bottom 5, that means there are lots of issues with the team outside of the bad contracts and putrid defense. Despite those issues, if they finish bottom 5 there's
something wrong with the young core also and that would be the worst.

The most important thing with this draft for Hexy is to get a 2nd round pick. I'd rather have pick 12 and 45 than just pick 5
- Just5

Exactly my feelings. If they finish bottom 5, then the young core has some big issues and the rebuild is going to have to be extensive.

With our D being what it is, I don't think I'd jump to that conclusion. I'm not too worried about Couts, B Schenn or Laughton. Outside them, who is our 'young core'?
- wolfhounds

I don't think our D is bad enough to drag down some real good forwards this team has to a bottom 5 finish.

Those guys are primarily who I'm talking about. You Can add Simmonds

That is not a correlation. Correlations don't exist.
- PhillySportsGuy

History is also important. And history shows that Couturier was able to score at a higher level then he has been in the past, while being deployed in the manner that he normally is.

Hextall couldn't even get us Morin

Hextall couldn't even get us Morin
- Winning

Translating troll speak...

Rob Mixer
@RobMixer
#CBJ make a Sunday trade, acquiring Jeremy Morin from Chicago in exchange for Tim Erixon: bit.ly/CBJTrade1214

I don't think our D is bad enough to drag down some real good forwards this team has to a bottom 5 finish.

Those guys are primarily who I'm talking about. You Can add Simmonds
- Just5

Look at this way,it is late in the season and the playoffs are out of the picture.
"Reward" the guys in Allentown with callups, sit regulars who may go the Worlds anyway and move up in the draft. Pride cometh before a fall, the devil with pride and get the best seeding possible in the draft. A few spots down the rung may help move them into better position. At least if Bettman doesnt have another favor he owes someone or some franchise needs a star player for the hopeless market.
cough Patrick Ewing cough

Translating troll speak...

Rob Mixer
@RobMixer
#CBJ make a Sunday trade, acquiring Jeremy Morin from Chicago in exchange for Tim Erixon: bit.ly/CBJTrade1214
- opeth_pa

Jesus effin christ, that's a good move for CBJ.

Jesus effin christ, that's a good move for CBJ.
- hereticpride

I'm surprised they took a player back instead of trying to grab a draft pick. I would have thought Morin would be worth a 2nd.

I'm surprised they took a player back instead of trying to grab a draft pick. I would have thought Morin would be worth a 2nd.
- PhillySportsGuy

I guess it never hurts to add depth to the blueline if you're a perennial playoff threat. Not a huge fan of Erixon tho...

I guess it never hurts to add depth to the blueline if you're a perennial playoff threat. Not a huge fan of Erixon tho...
- hereticpride

Neither am I. Erixon is a nothing player imo. It may have been the best offer they got. If so, the Flyers should have been in on him.

I think we're going to find that Flyers are a team that is always going to be up against the Cap. I'm amazed that only the bad signings are ever mentioned, and never the really good signings that he made in the cap era. Some of the signings that are labeled bad signings, are debatable.
- MJL

I don't know about that. If it wasn't for Pronger the Flyers would have a good chunck of extra space. Hextall is also going to be looking at losing Umberger and Vinny.

I propose a 'dead pool' for the end of the current roster Capbatrosses of Mr Cavalier and Mr Whattaburger. The latter is probably the easiest

We all select a date and means of extricating the Capbatrosses from the cap that actually occurrs.

Mean spirited but realistic.....

Neither am I. Erixon is a nothing player imo. It may have been the best offer they got. If so, the Flyers should have been in on him.
- PhillySportsGuy

Don't know about a nothing player. Clearly he is an NHL capable player at 23 on a super cheap deal who is restricted for awhile. Nice deal for Chicago can never have enough cheap young D depth

I have high hopes for Stolarz. He's got some very nice tools to work with. Can't teach 6'6 220, and he's got the quickness and physical skills to go along with it.

Kid has the ability to be studly, and i think there's a very good chance he could be although that's a long ways away with Mase in the fold. Just get him that playing time he needs down in the AHL, no rush. Top 10 in SV% right now
- Yosimar89

as do i. i have a little concern that 6'6" is too big to translate to the nhl. most, not all, but most goalies that push north of 6'5" don't seem to be able to stick. my view is that the extra size works against them.

mason is the real deal, so i'm happy to have him and be playing the way he is. i'm in zero hurry for stolarz to bump him out of the way, but in 3 years it could be an issue.

Jackets and Hawks just made a minor deal.

In terms of trades and maybe I'm way off, the Habs, Ducks and Hawks have all made deals that better their already good teams this season. They're proactive. No need to break the bank but they're making already good teams better mid season. I believe Tampa might be in this mix too. Dallas and San Jose.

Don't know about a nothing player. Clearly he is an NHL capable player at 23 on a super cheap deal who is restricted for awhile. Nice deal for Chicago can never have enough cheap young D depth
- Just5

I've never thought much of him. I think Morin has more upside than Erixon. I would have taken a 2nd rounder if that was available.

I'm assuming this was the best deal out there. Hard to negotiate when everyone knows a player wants to be moved.

Highlights of the SO win for the Phantoms last night. Straka, Leier and Cousins scored really nice goals.

http://ahl.neulion.com/ah...oms-vs-wbs-penguins/11459